Prasad Opens Fitness Gym, Pursuing Passion for Fitness

As a young man growing up in the suburbs of Suva, Michael Prasad was fond of sports as he was a high jumper and a basketball player.

Mr Prasad’s interest in basketball influenced his decision to move from Dudley High School to Gospel High School. He resigned from his work at the Bank South Pacific (BSP) in 2019 to chase his fitness dream.

At 34, he is the proud owner of Evolve Fitness Gym at Raojibhai Patel Street, Suva, which has been operational for three weeks. Mr Prasad’s inspiration to pursue his passion is from the support of his wife Courtney Cheer and his two sons.

“I was getting bored with the job,” he said.

“I didn’t feel challenged and I decided that I wanted to do something else. One thing that I enjoyed was fitness and helping people.”

How it all started

Mr Prasad said he initially started to assist people in training at the Metro Gym in Suva.

“I did that for a few months then I realised people wanted something exclusive where they could just do by themselves or a small group. So, I opened a little studio for about four years until I had to move from there.”

He intends to continue his ambitions at a different location.

“I might as well do something slightly bigger, but still keep it exclusive and premium which is why I decided to open this,” he said.

“I knew there was a demand because I trained at least 300 to 400 people in those four to five years.”

He said his clients suggested a gym which was in a central location in Suva.

“They said; ‘we would like the gym to be closer to work, we don’t have to hop in our car,’ so that’s when I knew there was a demand.

“I wasn’t contracted by Metro Gym to train people, I was doing my own freelance, basically at that time.”

Mr Prasad said his previous studio was located at Carnarvon Street.

“The studio was in the same building as Birdland Nightclub was. I was a fitness trainer before I became a gym owner.”

He said his gym offered fitness classes for groups of eight people.

“It’s more intimate and we could see who’s doing what and give some focused attention. We also have a few pieces of equipment that other gyms don’t have.”

Long term goal

The long line of 41 new and exclusive gym equipment at the Evolve Fitness Gym includes the belt squat, hip thrust and a pendulum squat machine. The enthusiastic Suva fitness trainer and gym owner intends to build a community of committed gym members.

“My long term goal is that I would like to expand and provide a few more classes. Maybe something for beginners, something more mindful such as yoga.”

Mr Prasad said there was no specific clientele for the Evolve Fitness Gym.

“The gym is open to anyone who wants to come and experience something that’s different from what’s always been provided in Fiji in the past few years. We do have fitness classes that look similar to cross-fit.”

Mr Prasad said their gym included weekly and monthly pricing packages.

“We have three months and 12 months membership packages at the moment. In terms of discount, when a client goes for a higher term, the cost per month is lower compared going month to month. I’ve been busy with the set-up and it’s only the third week.

“I’m thinking about considering a corporate partnership. I’ve been training people for four to five years and I’ve seen people lean towards a hybrid and wellness approach instead of bodybuilding.”

He said his tagline ‘live your fullest’ means an individual could work-out and enjoy life without any strict training regimen.

“An individual can indulge in unhealthy food or drink as long as they don’t miss their workout. And don’t stress because stress is a big killer.”

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